Looking for the perfect photo studio venue in London that you can hire for a great price without compromising? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for a state-of-the-art space, a green screen photography studio or a quirky shoot location, we’ve got something for you. Check out our ultimate guide for even more inspiration.
London is a creative hub, buzzing with inspiring people and spaces. At HeadBox we’re all about bringing people and spaces together to make brilliant things happen. That’s why we’ve uncovered the highest-quality photo studios in London that you can hire.
Finding photo studios in London can be tricky to navigate. We know that finding a photo studio the old-fashioned way (where you trawl the internet, contact 10 venues or set your heart on one, only to find that they're out of your price range and not even available on your dates) is a pain, and there are a few pitfalls between you and booking your perfect photo studio.
We know that for you to get the best results, you need the right tools at your disposal. So, to make your life easier, we’ve made sure that each of our studios in London features a detailed list of everything you and your team need to know. Be it equipment, onsite technical support or studio square footage: we give you all the details upfront so you can plan your photography shoot down to the letter.
Know you need a photo studio but don’t know where to begin? Let’s start by making sure you have all you need to make your photo session a success. First, let’s delve into the types of photo studios.
As with everything, London is home to everything (and then some), and that includes photo studio hire. From the small and budget studios to the grand and modern studios, there is a space for every kind of photographer and every kind of shoot. Fancy a studio with exposed brick walls or want to stick with classic white walls? We’ve got you covered – these photo studio spaces can provide the ultimate backdrop for your London event.
Natural light
As you’d expect, look for photo studios with large windows for the best chance of bright and well-lit stills and videos.
With large windows on each side of the building and a terrace area, First Option Location Studio in Shoreditch is a top choice. The converted Victorian zip and suspender factory offers 2000sq ft and is specifically designed for stills, film and TV.
Blank canvas
Creativity is best when it's unrestricted. Create the photo shoot of your dreams with a blank canvas studio. It’s exactly what you’d expect - a plain photo studio with no frills, bells or whistles (perfect for the super-decisive).
For one of the best blank canvas photo studios in London, head to the West End’s Noho Studios. With exposed piping, curved archways and open plan space, this 2000sq ft venue is certainly an interesting event space to host a photo shoot.
Special effects
When it comes to special effects, one of the things you’ll need is a green screen. Why? Green screens allow you to remove your existing background and digitally replace it with one of your own.
Located on Deptford’s Resolution Way, Studio 101 is a fully-equipped photo studio that comes with a green screen lounge and a separate black studio (aside from the standard white backdrop). They’re available for hire for photo and film shoots, and auditions and offer production services, as well as on-hand graphic designers, MUAs, videographers, hairdressers and stylists to go alongside that.
For photo studio hire that’s a little more East, head to Canada Water’s Photography & Film Studio at Mavro Worldwide Studios. With a changing area, toilets, showers, and 2 make-up stations, this photo studio can be hired for anything between £55 - £120 (depending on whether you just want studio hire, or lighting, props as well as an on-hand photographer).
Next, we’ll briefly cover what type of equipment you’ll need for a great photo shoot. Think all you need is a studio and a camera? Well, think again. While that could work, here’s a brief overview of the equipment we’d consider for the big day.
Backdrop
Whether you want to go for a classic white or jazz up your photo shoot with a chic black or bold-coloured backdrop, there are a number of photo studios that offer a choice of backdrop colours.
One of them is A_SPACE at Anomalous Space. Located in Islington, this 1000sq ft converted townhouse offers a studio, kitchenette and dressing areas, alongside a range of backdrop options.
Softbox
For a softer or more concentrated source of light that can be controlled, why not try a softbox?
Most photo studios offer them but if you’re unsure, head to the listing page where we’ve listed what each photo studio offers. For example, SDMA Photography Studio offers for an additional cost, an Octa-Softbox 120 cm with honeycomb for Bowens and a rectangular softbox for Yongnuo Flash.
Reflector
As you’d expect, a reflector is simply a tool that reflects light. When shooting, it’s a small tool that can make a massive difference to the end result of a photo. While reflectors tend to be inexpensive, they can take up a bit of space, so to save yourself the hassle of bringing one (along with equipment) come shoot day, why not look for a photo studio that offers one?
The I AM Photography Studio offers, alongside a private studio, bathroom, makeup areas, and a kitchen, a P70 reflector to help you make the most of shoot day. You can find them minutes away from Battersea Park and Clapham Junction station.
Lighting rig
What can we say? There’s more than one way to light a studio. Offering Kino overhead lighting, high ceilings, blackout curtains, air conditioning and heating, Studio Green at Crixus Studios is an ideal option for those looking for a photo studio in South East London.
Okay, so now you know what type of studio and equipment you need. The next question you’ll probably want answers to is – where? Where to hire a photo studio in London? Keep reading for some location inspiration…
Shoreditch
The home of all things creative and artsy. It only makes sense to look there for a photo studio, and when it comes to photo studios in Shoreditch, you’re spoilt for choice.
Located minutes away from Shoreditch High Street and Liverpool Street Station, The Yard is an exciting former Victorian warehouse. With its high ceiling and spotlights, it’s a great blank canvas photo studio.
For a quick, no-fuss photo session, Kobi Studios combines the two things every photographer needs– simplicity and convenience. Right on Brick Lane, this pop-up photo studio is small but well-equipped.
Brick Studios is a modern and spacious studio, with tons of natural light, plus a kitchen, makeup and lounge area. You can find them on Shacklewell Street.
Greenwich
Views, views and more views. One of London’s most scenic, and iconic, areas is not without a few photo studios of its own.
All 13 studios (and their Studio Theatre) at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance are modern, spacious and versatile. Just what you need for a full day of shooting.
For an affordable photo studio, Tribe Urban Entertainment’s studio comes fully equipped (with air-conditioning and heating) all for £40 per hour, with a minimum 2-hour booking.
Just a 10-minute walk from North Greenwich station is where you’ll find Sugar Studio’s Infinity Cove space. Billed as one of the largest infinity coves in London, this versatile studio works well for any type of photo session.
Bermondsey
Head south of the river to the much-loved area that’s not without its antique markets, bars, cafes, parks and photo studios.
Bermondsey’s Projext Liquid Studios offers a range of services to suit your photography needs. With space for up to 12 guests, this studio is ideal for smaller-scale photo shoots.
As you can see there’s a lot to consider but hopefully, this guide has helped you put a few things in perspective for the next (or first) time you need to hire a photo studio. To sum it up, here are our top three tips for finding and hiring a photo studio in London:
Get equipped
This is the most important question you’ll want to ask yourself before pursuing a London photo studio. Unlike a lot of other venues, photo studios cater for very specific activities, and the equipment they provide could prove essential to your event. Since you’re planning a photography shoot, you’ll want a studio that offers professional lighting, as well as softboxes, reflectors, tripods and maybe even backdrop paper. Communicating exactly what you’re after is essential in the planning process – after all, it’s your event.
Alternatively, go for a blank canvas
If you have all you need for your photo session and prefer to go the budget route, then you may be able to go for a much more general studio. In this case, you’ll want to think about the setup of the room: will you need space for talent, crew and equipment? Is the natural light sufficient? Is there a kitchen area for when you need a quick break?
Consider the guests
No one wants to turn up to a beautiful photo studio flustered from a labyrinthian trek across London’s transport system. Narrow your venue search by working out the most accessible location for all your guests. We’d recommend taking a look at the train and bus routes prior to booking, so you can be sure everyone will be able to make it. Top tip: Accessibility doesn’t just mean the tube. Think of any disabled guests you might be inviting and make sure to check in with the venue regarding accessibility for everyone. Alternatively, let us know if you have specific requests, and we’ll make sure only the right venues get back to you.
As always, give us your enquiry and we'll reach out to the best photo studios in London, no matter where in the city you are.
